by Steve Slatcher » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:27 pm
In 2008 I drank a Horst Sauer Frank & Fresh Pinot Noir Rosé 2001, which had a plastic cork (I think of the type you describe, Robin). The price was reduced to practically nothing (little more than duty + VAT) by the wine merchant, and the "cork" had lost all elasticity. The wine was pale tawny. It did not taste what I would call oxidised, but was a little high toned and had strawberry fruit.
I was pleasantly surprised, and concluded that at least some of the reputation plastic corks have is undeserved. I do wonder a bit though about possible plasticisers that leached out of the plastic to cause it to stiffen.